Need some input. I will be buying a new 2004 truck in the next 3-5 months and have been doing lots of research on the Totyota Tundra Access Cab, 4 x 4, V-8, SR5, the Chevy 1500 Ext. Cab, 4 x 4, LS, 5.3L V-8, Short Bed, and the GMC Sierra 1500, Ext. Cab, 4 x 4, SLE, 5.3L V-8, Short Bed. I have two elementary aged children so room in the back is a must. Main purpose of travel: Pull my 14 ft Lowe, take kids to school, keep open the option of buying a camper, hunt, fish, trips over the mountain pass, etc. I have come up with a couple of my own conclusions but would love to hear from you. Thanks.


Sambo

Sambo, I see you are from Kennewick. I just moved from there. As for the truck Q, are you not considering Ford?? I know that they just changed body styles and first runs can be hit and miss but I've heard nothing but good things about them. And the powerplants offered in them are top notch. The 5.4 litre is a sweet motor, ie reliable, torquey, and modifiable (is that a word???)

If you want the option of buying a camper, buy the Chevrolet 2500 or 2500HD. Campers are heavy and GM products have much more carrying capacity than your other choices.

If you leave the camper out of the picture, you could consider the new Chevrolet Colorado 4 door or almost any SUV.

Read this thread we just hashed it out over there.


http://refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177580

Bud.

Picking up my new rig next week sometime.....should be my last truck for quite a while.

2004 F-350 King Ranch, crew Fx4 SRW , 6.0 powerstroke, etc.

Have had a powerstroke since 99 and I LOVE it.

Steve Ng

I just picked up my f350 yesterday. Man, that 6.0 sure has a lot more power than my old 7.3. I think you are going to like your new truck!

I finally broke down and bought my first Ford last year, a 2001 F150 Supercrew 4x4. I love it. I towed a 25' full keel sailboat with it, no problems.

Still have my 1986 f250 4x4 supercab 6.9L diesel non turbo. Truck runs great and has held up perfectly. 170,000 miles most of them pulling a boat or with the camper on it. I wouldnt think of buying any other truck than a ford after my experience with this one. But it could be another 170,000 miles before I even have to think about it.

solidsteel,

What did they do with the tranny (if anything) for the new 6.0 powerstroke? I've had 3 of the 7.3's and really like them, but was nervous retuning it for more power with the tranny they came with. I thought I had heard they were going to a beefier one along the lines of the Allison that Chev is using.

Sambo,

I would really re-think getting a halfton from any manufacturer if you plan on getting much more than a basic 8' camper. Even a 3/4 ton is overmatched by some of the bigger campers that are being produced now-a-days.

Yes, they say more power from the 6.0, but then again I did chip my 7.3. I too was worried about the tranny, since both of my brothers had trans go out on them (earlier years), But the new 6.0 has a 5 spd torqshift transmission behind them, that some are saying are even better than the Allisons great transmission, I guess only time will tell.

Steve

Sambo, Toyota's are not good camper haulers. I have a '96 T100 and to even haul a small pop up camper I had to install air bags. If you look at their design, all Toyota's have the rear axle too far forward in their bed. Most of your weight hangs over the rear axle. Otherwise, they are excellent high quality trucks and worth every penny over the US trucks.

I never chipped my 7.3 because I was afraid the tranny couldn't take it.
The 6.0 is rated at 325 hp and 550 ft/lbs torque. It has a lot more power than my 2000 7.3 had. The new torqshift transmission is said to be equal or better than the allison. I guess I'll find out fairly soon.
they redesigned the torque converter, and they gave it a larger pump to help with overheating. It also has a tow/haul mode similar to the allison. basically if you hit the brakes in tow/haul mode it downshifts one or two gears gear depending on the situation.
I never had any problems with my 7.3 or tranny, so I'm hoping for more of the same.

sambo
I have a 2001 chev 2500 HD crew cab long box With the duramax allison como. great truck with lots of power and torque. 4 doors make it nice for getting in and out I have 2 small childeren. I pull a 22 foot arima and going to be buying a camper. My GVW. is 9200 and scales at 6300 lbs empty. So keep this in mind when shoping for a pickup you might be overloaded with the pickups you are looking at.
bear

Thanks for all the replies. Still much to ponder. Camper is not a high priority right now and surely do not want a 3/4 ton with a 6.0. Never had a Toyota before but hear their reliability is awesome. Looking at the the new 2004, 4 door Tundra. I know it is underpowered to tow anything big, but the reliability part keeps coming up. I really like the front end of the GMC and just yesterday, was given a great price for a leaded Sierra 1500 from an Ifish car salesman. Once again, thanks for all your replies. More research to do.


Sammy

Thanks for the info FishNg1 and solidsteel.

PD

I heard in the next few years ford is going to start using cummins diesels has anyone else heard this or is it a b.s rumor

I think it's a BS Rumor, the reason they went with 6.0 from the 7.3 had most to do with the emission standards coming up. I don' t think there would be a reason for them to go with the cummins in my honest opinion, as the 6.0 powerstroke as it stands right now, has come out ahead in head to head truck tests between the big three. Read the ariticle below for just a bit of info.
Don't get me wrong, I think all three diesels seem to be great! Not for starting a brand war here.
web page

Steve

I imagine the rumor you heard comes from when Ford bought the division of Cummings that builds the motors that are used in the Dodge trucks. At first, every one thought they would make the switch, but it seems, from a business standpoint, that they are content with selling to Dodge and continuing to use the IH engines that are currently in the line. Also, I never did hear what kind of a relationship/contract Dodge had in place when Ford bought the division.

Seems like a good move, make money every time the competition sells a vehicle...

I kinda see your situation sambo, ya need a rig that's all around. Haul when ya have to and yet be able to pick up kids, or double duty, I'd have to go with the 4dr. Tundras. For kids with booster seats, they have the room, easy enough rig for the wife to drive on occasions or emergencies, pulling a boat 19' and smaller is perfect, continuous start-ups and stop and go traffic make it easier with a gas engine course unless you do long daily drives, (avg. 40 miles oneway,) I could see a diesel rig would be the way, and don't have to wake up half the neighborhood in the A.M. moving the rig or boat around, And depndability. A fact that I like to point out is yes, THE TRUCK IS BUILT AND ASSEMBLED IN THE U.S. and have plans to enter in the Craftsman truck series because of this. Food for thought....


Robert

Sambo,
Just a couple more thoughts since I'm in the market for a similar truck. First, I haven't looked at the Chevy so can't comment on them. I've looked at most other trucks, but am focused on the new F150 and Tundra Double Cab.

For reference I have 2.7L Tacoma Access cab (4 cyl). My truck struggles over the pass, but still gets the job done even with my 16' aluminum boat behind it.

The biggest problem I have with my Tacoma is too little space in the back for kids/dogs and when going camping too little space in the bed for stuff. With that said, I'd recommend climbing in the back seat yourself and seeing if you are comfortable....all access cabs I've looked at except the new F150 are too small / uncomfortable for adults or bigger kids. My truck was great with a 6 year-old, but at 10 my son is pushing 5 feet. The combination of too little leg room and seats with 90 degree backs make for an uncomfortable ride.

In terms of power/load/towing capacity the F150 is clearly superior to the Tundra Double Cab, but since I'm not adding a camper this is less of a concern for me.

Little Fish,

You are right. I gues one needs to priortize what he wants, then see which one fits best. You could also do the Pros Vs Cons and see where you come out. I have been in the back of the Chevy Silverado 1500 ext cab and there seems to be quite a bit of room, but not as much as the Tundra double cab. Maybe when I go out and start driving the trucks I am interested in, I will get a better feel for what I like and come up with some logical conclusion. I realize that I can't get everything I am looking for but hope to get close.


Sambo

They are all good rigs,with all of them having some high points the others don't.It all depends on what you want.
If your looking for reliability and future resale value,I dont know how you could beat the Toyota.
If you do a little research Im sure you will see what I mean
Also,Toyota just passed ford as the #2 selling rig behind chevy.That should tell you something about them.

Hello Sambo,

I purchased a 2000 Tundra 4x4 Access Cab Limited V8 in April 2002. Toyotas are known for their reliability and safety. Overall, the Tundra I purchased has been great. In the first two year models there were some issues with the braking system which toyota replaced under warranty. I believe they have since upgraded the braking systems in the newer models (you should ask them about it). I think when choosing a truck the most important issue to consider is "what will you be using it for". Toyota Tundras are not as big or as powerful as Chevy or Ford trucks but for me the Tundra has more than enough power and load carrying capacity for my needs.(and I can still park it in normal parking spaces....) This year Toyota is offering a 4-door Super Cab model Tundra, which should be perfect for trucking the family around while still giving some hauling and payload ability (you give up bed length in this case). If you have any other questions you can email me at tailwalk@aol.com

If you would like a really great price on a Chevy try looking at Dave Smith in Idaho. they sell Dodge (gag) and Chevy. my buddy has an 02 dodge (gag) that he saved over 8k by buying from Dave Smith. I think you could do a search and find his dealership and get a price right over the www. worth a try for 8k?

dc

I have an 02 GMC 1500 xcab, short bed. It is the best truck I have ever owned. 5.3 with goodies puts out 300 horses and I have never had any problems towing other vehicles, trailers or my old boat (6000 lbs).

I would but this truck again in a heartbeat.

What......the old truck couldn't carry the payload of that Avatar fish?

Sierra's and Silverados are basically the same thing... Sierra's just cost a lot more.

I'd go with the Silverado Ext.... More room then the F150 (If you are sticking with half tons), and its not goofy looking like all those "king cabs" and "double cabs". My bro had no troubles hooking up a 4horse trailer half loaded with his 1500, so I don't think your boat will really hurt either... just observations.

I've noticed Ford engines are pretty badass.... But thats about the only nice thing about them. My ranger is always having electrical problems and I had the seat rail just BREAK on me while I was on the freeway... nearly wrecked and Ford got a nice letter from me.

Curtis

Hey Steve,

I just bought the F350 PS 6L Diesel myself....

Although the kids won't be going to college now, I couldn't be happier. I have long been a Chevy fan, but this truck is DA BOMB.. Everything I could ask for- gas mileage is great, a lot of power (I needed it), lot's of room for the rug rats. This truck has more juice than the 7.3L- hands down.

John, like I have to agree with the 6.0 eating up my 99 7.3, lots of power without the help of a Superchip or anything. The Torqshift tranny is sweet too, I can hardly tell it shifts anymore. I moved on up from a supercab to the crewcab in the King Ranch edition....estate green, easier to keep clean. That is a must in my book, the size of these things are incredible to wash, takes up too much fishing time.

Take it easy, Steve.

DURAMAX!!!!!
NOTHING ELSE TO SAY

Sorry RiverNut, in tests done between the Diesels, the Ford always has outpulled the Duramax.
I will give them one thing, they are quieter than the ford and dodge, and have a great tranny from what I heard.


Steve

in 03 dodge came out with the common rail diesel engine. which i believe is every bit as quiet as the duramax. the high output model originally came with a 6spd. trans. @305 hp. the autos were rated @ 250. later in the year they came out with high output autos with beefier trannys. and to top that, the last time i was at tech training i was told that the hp ratings were going to be bumped up to the 340-350 range. the exact number was classified due to the one-upmanship battle between the big three.

as far as a 1\2 ton truck with a roomy back seat and a full bed. check out a dodge. with the hemi i dont thik there would be any problem towing anything. i think there are some huge rebates on them right now too. and what ever you do. make sure you deal with a fleet salesperson or fleet dept. alot of dealers have them. you will avoid the dealer markup.

My Duramax runs circles around my old 87 6.9 no smoke or oil consumption . The torque curve is around 1500 rpms. thats where it likes to pull and so quiet. Nice smoth shift on the Allison and the tow haul feature is a + you can go down hills hit the button and it sences the load and shifts down to 4 th gear and acts like a retarder with little or no brake reqiered.The payload is great to with the 2500HD and I love the 4 doors with the family and the Arima.
Bear